Best events in Florence this November 2019

Best events in Florence this November 2019

bookmark
Tue 29 Oct 2019 12:46 PM

CINEMA/ Film festivals

Festival dei Popoli and Lo Schermo dell’Arte

 

PJ Harvey as featured in Seamus Murphy’s film “A Dog Called Money”. His feature documentary on their collaboration traces the sources of the songs that were inspired by their travels, and tells stories of the some of the people and places they encounted along the way.

 

Grab the popcorn and cosy up, film season is upon us. Delve into international documentaries at Festival dei Popoli (November 2-9) and art-centric cinema at Lo Schermo dell’Arte (November 12-17). The former is Italy’s leading international documentary film festival, active since 1959. The programme features a special archival trip through the festival’s sixty-year history. Held at multiple venues, the line-up also features a range of documentaries aimed towards younger audiences. Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller will be the protagonist of the 12th edition of Lo Schermo dell’Arte, held at Cinema La Compagnia and Palazzo Medici Riccardi. Four video works will be screened in the artist’s presence, colouring the experience as he reveals details about the works that explore the complexities of the United Kingdom’s national identity as well as the socio-political evolution in the international sphere. The festival is coupled with the VISIO contemporary art exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi, (November 12 – December 1). Titled ‘Moving Images After Post-Internet’, the 12 video works reflect on the digital revolution and the transformation of moving images. See www.schermodellarte.org and www.festivaldeipopoli.org for detailed programmes.

 

Various locations

 

 

 

CHRISTMAS MARKET/ Weihnachtsmarkt

November 30 – December 18

 

Christmas market at piazza Santa Croce

 

 

It’s never too soon for mug of mulled wine, or should we say, Glühwein. The festive season is quickly approaching. Freshen up your stock of decorations or get a head start on present-picking at Florence’s rendition of Weihnachtsmarkt, the traditional German Christmas market. Sauerkraut, pretzels and whimsical wooden booths, it’s hard not to feel merry and bright amidst the charming seasonal street fair. Santa Croce lights up for Christmas with artisan crafts and fairy-tale like magic. Wrap up warm and embrace the festive feeling as Christmas comes to town. Click here for more details. 

 

Piazza Santa Croce, Florence

 

 

 

LEGO/ Bricks in Florence

November 8-10

 

Festival for LEGO fans

 

 

Everyone’s favourite past time has its own festival! The third edition of the festival dedicated to LEGO fans of all ages is organised by ToscanaBricks in collaboration with Tuscany Hall and ItLUG. “Master builders” from all over come together to exhibit their creations, as well as giving you the chance to make real your own architectural ambitions with a free play area filled with over 150kg of LEGO bricks. Dozens of AFOL (Adult Fans of LEGO) come from all over to share secrets, talk about construction techniques and to display their finest works. Learn about the history of the LEGO brand, meet fellow enthusiasts, and take a look at some vintage LEGO sets, books and clothing to take home a memento of the occasion. More info at www.toscanabricks.it.

 

Tuscany Hall, via Fabrizio di André angolo, Lungarno Aldo Moro, Florence

 

 

 

BODY ART/ Florence Tattoo Convention

November 8-10

 

 

 

 

350 tattoo artists unite for a colourful convention at Fortezza da Basso. Brought about to educate about best-practice, to empower tattoo art as an outlet for creativity and expression and to maintain a network amongst tattoo artists, the three days see live music, performances and contests take place alongside talks and displays. Incredible performances are sure to wow audiences as a number of live acts ramp up the excitement. The list includes Huma, a circus/theatre show, Marta Boo, and Golden Cage with Lady Rubina, a “selfie zone” at the heart of a gilded cage while acrobatics take place. The intriguing events are detailed at www.florencetattooconvention.com.

 

 

Fortezza da Basso, viale Filippo Strozzi, 1, Florence

 

 

 

CULTURE/ XXI Japanese Festival

November 15-17

 

Festival celebrating Japanese culture

 

 

Take the tram to the “Resistenza” stop, just 20 minutes from Santa Maria Novella station and jump into Japan in all its glory. Organised by Japanese cultural association Lailac, the weekend will feature martial arts shows, sake tastings, Mangiappone (“Eat Japan”) food booths, origami, calligraphy, kimono demonstrations and the art of tea for all lovers of the ancient and enchanting Japanese culture. Admission is 2 euro; current Lailac members enter for free, check out www.festivalgiapponese.it.

 

Rogers Center Auditorium, piazzale della Resistenza, Scandicci

 

 

 

EXHIBITION/ Americans in Florence II

November 8-21

 

Americans in Florence II Exhibition

 

 

The second edition of the contemporary American artists exhibit coincides with the bicentenary of the American diplomatic presence in Florence (#insieme 200). The medieval Palazzo Rosselli del Turco with its impressive Baroque facade and 18th-century frescoed ceilings was previously host to the American embassy from 1865-1871. It was also home to various mid-19th century American painters and sculptors including William Page and Alexander Galt.  Nine American artists will exhibit their most recent works at the Stengel Collection, curated by Vito Abba, with works ranging from milk cartons and pop art to coral and coin sculptures. Free admission, see www.studioabba.com for more.

 

Palazzo Rosselli del Turco, via dei Serragli

 

 

 

SURREALISM/ Inside Magritte

November 1 – March 1, 2020

Exhibition titled ‘Emotion’

 

Between the real and the imaginary, the dream world and the concrete one; the mysterious landscape of the great surrealist master René Magritte (1898 – 1967) comes to the deconsecrated Santo Stefano al Ponte church. The multi-sensory experiential exhibition dedicated to the Belgian artist is curated by art historian Julie Waseige. The surreal atmospheres of Magritte’s paintings are the protagonists here. A 360° experience room invites visitors to immerse themselves in his works as motifs from his most well-known masterpieces appear and disappear all around you. Discover more at www.insidemagritte.com.

 

Cattedrale dell’immagine, piazza di Santo Stefano, Florence

 

 

 

PUPPETS/ Enigma Pinocchio. From Giacometti to LaChapelle

October 22 – March 22, 2020 

 

Exhibition exploring the well-known wooden puppet

 

 

Pinocchio’s adventures are known the world over. A symbol of both Italy and Tuscany, Carlo Collodi’s 19th century creation has been the subject of works by Giacometti, LaChapelle, Munari, Paladino, McCarthy, Venturino Venturi and more. A dedicated exhibition demonstrates his influence and looks into why he is so often favoured by artists as a character worth exploring. Perhaps he represents veiled malevolence, or the spiritual search for enlightenment, in either case, Pinocchio is open to interpretation. Complex, elusive, and certainly enigmatic, a thousand eyes interpret a thousand different Pinocchio’s, which is what the exhibition invites us to reflect upon. Learn more at www.villabardini.it.

 

Villa Bardini, Costa San Giorgio 2-4

 

 

Related articles

THINGS TO DO

Easter in Florence 2024

More than the exploding cart...

THINGS TO DO

Anselm Kiefer’s Fallen Angels at Palazzo Strozzi

25 large-scale works engage with themes of memory, history and war.

LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE